Public health minister Dr Deepak Sawant in his written reply to a starred question in the legislative council said that there are 182 infected with HIV by blood transfusion. He referred a report submitted to National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) by integrated counselling and testing centres (ICTC).

NCP MLC Prakash Gajbhiye had asked question about number of HIV patients in the state. He asked that whether the state has inquired about the 276 patients infected through blood transfusion and what measures have been taken about taking blood samples of the banks.

Sawant in his reply clarified that there were 182 patients who have been infected through blood transfusion and not 276 during the period of October 2015 to March 2016.

Minister also said that the figures are of patients claimed to have been infected due to blood transfusion. They voluntarily reveal it during the ICTC counseling. “So, to conduct an inquiry and action would be taken against those blood banks once it would reveal from which bank patients has received bloodcells,” added Sawant.

The minister also said that NACO has instructed all ICTCs and counsellors to ensure pre and post counselling session should be conducted of patients visiting them for check-ups. The minister further claimed that the cases of infection have been reduced after instruction has been issued by NACO to all blood banks and ICTCs to ensure safety of patients during blood transfusion in future.

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